Ambucopter’s busiest year ever

Not only did the county’s air ambulance move to a new headquarters and upgraded the helicopter, the charity has also had its busiest year in its history with the crew responding to more than 1,400 missions in 2021 – compared to 1,095 in 2020 and 877 in 2019.

CEO Karen Jobling said: “Just like many other charities, we went into 2021 not knowing what to expect.

“We had projects that were under way before the first lock-down so we had to dig in and keep going on those fronts, keeping in mind that they were all foundations for the future of the charity. This is what has enabled us to reach more patients this year.”

The addition of a second helicopter in the summer came in response to an anticipated surge in visitors to the Lincolnshire coast as lock-down measures eased, which contributed to the rise in call-outs as it became the busiest summer the charity had ever had.

Throughout the year, additional doctors and paramedics have joined LNAA, with some travelling from Aberdeen, Kent and even Lisbon to be part of the team, and by September, crews were able to respond day and night using a mix of the helicopter and critical care cars. The charity teams and crew moved from their former base at RAF Waddington, with the staff situated in Bracebridge Heath, into their new, purpose-built headquarters in Lincoln in the summer and celebrated the opening in September when HRH The Earl of Wessex officially opened the building.

Another stride in clinical care came with the introduction of blood plasma.

Blood was already carried on board but plasma was added because it is the component of blood that helps it to clot – integral to the care given at the scene of a traumatic incident, anywhere within the 3,500sq miles LNAA covers.

“Our crews continue to be out there and, just like their NHS colleagues, they are dealing with the added pressure and complexity the spread of covid brings,” said Karen.

“The only difference is that we are there purely because of the generous donations we receive from our communities.

“We are so pleased that we have been able to be there for more patients in 2021.

“Of course, with each mission costing on average £3,500, it comes at a cost.

“It is only because of the generosity of our supporters that more patients have been helped by a crew with the highest skills and standards in pre-hospital care. Everyone here at LNAA would like to send all of our wonderful supporters.”

To find out more about the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, visit the website: www.ambucopter.org.uk/donate